Bayern Munich Eyes Brentford's Igor Thiago as Backup Striker Despite Transfer Freeze

Bayern Munich is reportedly considering a move for Brentford striker Igor Thiago to serve as backup for Harry Kane, despite previously announcing a halt on summer signings. The club appears to have reignited its search for a traditional center forward.

Reinforcing the Attack

The German champions want to strengthen their attacking options and see Thiago as a fitting candidate to support Kane. Italian journalist Nicolo Schira revealed that Bayern has shown strong interest in the Brentford forward and started initial talks about a possible Bundesliga transfer.

The urgency increased after Nicolas Jackson left, returning to Chelsea following his loan stint at Bayern. While Kane remains the main striker, the absence of a natural deputy pushed the club to reconsider new additions.

Thiago’s Premier League Success and Contract Challenges

Last season, Thiago stood out with an impressive record in England. He played 38 Premier League matches for Brentford, scoring 22 goals and assisting once. His tally made him the second-highest scorer in the league, trailing only Erling Haaland from Manchester City.

Convincing Brentford to part with Thiago won’t be easy. His contract extends until June 2031, reportedly without a release clause, making negotiations potentially complicated for the Bundesliga side.

Kane’s Future in Bavaria

Harry Kane is expected to deepen his legacy at Bayern Munich. The England captain has delivered outstanding performances since joining and is set to discuss a contract extension. At 33, Kane aims to secure Champions League glory with the club, a prize he feels is attainable with the current squad.

Last season, Kane scored 61 goals in 51 appearances across all competitions, bringing his total for Bayern to 146 goals in 147 games.

Summer Strategy and Squad Options

Before the interest in Thiago emerged, Bayern director Max Eberl said the club’s summer recruitment was complete. The team had focused on targeted signings such as Nathaniel Brown from Eintracht Frankfurt to reinforce full-back roles and Ismael Saibari from PSV Eindhoven to boost wing creativity.

At Sabener Strasse, the belief was that the squad was well-balanced enough for all competitions without further major signings. Still, head coach Vincent Kompany can turn to internal solutions when Kane needs rest. Serge Gnabry has often been used in a central role, offering a flexible alternative to a typical number nine.

• Igor Thiago's 2025-26 Premier League stats:
• Appearances: 38
• Goals: 22
• Assists: 1
• Harry Kane's Bayern career totals:
• Goals: 146
• Appearances: 147
• 2025-26 season goals: 61 (all competitions)
• 2025-26 season appearances: 51